# Bunia's Fight to Protect Families from DRC's Deadliest Ebola Outbreak

> Health workers in Bunia, DRC, rebuild trust after Ebola outbreak kills over 4,000.
- Title: Bunia's Fight to Protect Families from DRC's Deadliest Ebola…
- Summary: Health workers in Bunia, DRC, rebuild trust after Ebola outbreak kills over 4,000. Over 4,000 people died in DRC's deadliest Ebola outbreak, but health…
- Keywords: drc, ebola, bunia, ituri province, unfpa, unicef, ebola outbreak, community health workers, maternal health, ebola treatment center, news, world
- Source: RFI — https://rfi.fr/en/africa/20261015-inside-bunia-s-fight-to-protect-families-from-drc-s-deadliest-ebola-outbreak
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: drc, ebola, bunia, ituri province, unfpa, unicef, ebola outbreak, community health workers, maternal health, ebola treatment center, news, world
## Ebola outbreak in Bunia
More than 4,000 people have died in five months from the deadliest outbreak in DRC's history.
## World Health Organization classification
The outbreak, the 17th in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been classified by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern.
## Community health workers step up
Community workers in Rwampara increased home visits and public awareness campaigns to inform residents about Ebola.
## Health worker's challenge
Health worker Emmanuel Birunga said people initially dismissed Ebola as malaria or poison, leading to delays in seeking care.

> We used to have routine activities, but with Ebola we had to change what we do
## Community trust rebuilding
Health centres are filling up as residents regain confidence in services after Ebola deaths mounted.
## Maternity unit disruptions
Pregnant women avoided health facilities due to fear of Ebola, causing births to fall by half.
## Midwife's perspective
Midwife Victorine Kwikiriza explained health workers initially feared infection due to lack of protective equipment.

> At the start we were afraid of the women, the patients and the pregnant women, because we had no protection
## UNFPA's outreach strategy
UNFPA midwife Esther Mosseka described door-to-door awareness sessions to encourage women to use health services.
## Women's heightened risk
Women face higher Ebola risk due to roles caring for sick and attending funerals.
## Maternal health decline
Maternal deaths rose from three per week to almost five per week during the outbreak.
## Children under observation
Unicef set up nurseries for children of Ebola patients who remain under observation.
## Survivor's story
Sarah, an Ebola survivor, reunited with her daughter after losing her husband and much of her family.

> Early in the outbreak she lost much of her family, including her husband. Seven months pregnant, she then became ill herself
## Key takeaway

Over 4,000 people died in DRC's deadliest Ebola outbreak, but health workers are rebuilding trust in services.